Monday, August 20, 2012

Summer Mantel (When You Don't Have a Mantel)

Today is Open House/Orientation for Natalie's new school (1st grade, holla!), which signals the impending arrival of Fall for me. I decided that today, I'd share the Summer Mantel in my family room, otherwise known as the top of my TV armoire because we don't have a fireplace, despite T's fondness for burning and exploding stuff. It's nothing to write home about, but since it's my blog and we're jumping into school stuff today, I figured I could write to the blog about it.

Because the top of the TV armoire is so deep, it can be hard to decorate. I keep a small antique trunk up there because it was a gift from my dad and I just don't have another place to put it. It can be nice to use to layer things. I use old books a lot too.

As always, Emma thinks it looks so fabulous she had to sit right in front of me while I shot some pics. But she's my dog, so she has to say it looks fabulous.

I didn't spend a single penny on putting this together this year, and I mostly used items I had in my attic bin. We're starting up a little DIY project and just don't have a lot of extra cash to spend on decorative pieces.

I love my white birdcages and birdhouse, and I found some shells and river rocks to toss in an apothecary.

And because I am a proud mama, I have to display one of my very favorite pictures I snapped of my girls at the beach last year. I had my friends at Easy Canvas Prints put it on canvas for me, and I get lots of sweet compliments when visitors drop by.

So, that's my mantel in a nutshell. Nothing fancy, but I love that I didn't spend any money to put it together. Sadly, I'm ripping it all down this week to do a little Fall/Back to School vignette, but it will be fun!

Do you have a mantel?

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Hi! This looks great! I love the photo. We do have a mantel that I keep three huge frames with each of our kids leaned on. The photos get switched out occasionally. Also, I will add some things for different holidays or seasons. Overall though, I don't do much, because the bookshelves in our living room get seen more, so I try and dress those up more often.

That picture of your girls is SO sweet. I adopted your use of the word "fantel" when I decorated our hutch for Christmas last year--no real fireplace mantel here, either, despite my husband's mutual love of blowing things up and playing with pyrotechnics.

This is Me

I'm a stay-at-home mom of three kids, a fluffy Pomeranian, and a rambunctious German Shepherd puppy. Happily married to T. We live in Virginia, but I secretly dream of what it would be like to have a place in NYC to escape to for random girls' shopping weekends. Target is my home away from home. I stay sane by doing creative projects around my home and taking lots of pictures. Stick around for realistic inspiration...on a budget!

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